Welcome to The Deck Briefing — your quick daily read for everyone who loves ships, sea days, and stories from the decks. Here’s what’s making waves on August 4, 2026.
Today's cruise news roundup covers a Royal Caribbean itinerary change for the Grandeur of the Seas, Celebrity Cruises' new gratuity rates, Explora III's maiden voyage, AIDA Cruises' Greek tourist tax policy and early work on Port Tampa Bay's next cruise terminal.
Grandeur of the Seas Replaces Bonaire With Santa Marta
Royal Caribbean is changing the itinerary for the Grandeur of the Seas sailing scheduled to depart on January 23, 2027, Cruise Industry News reports. The ship will no longer call at Kralendijk, Bonaire, and is instead scheduled for a seven-hour visit to Santa Marta, Colombia.
The sailing is part of the ship's 2026-27 Southern Caribbean season and is planned as a seven-night cruise from Colombia and Panama. Its other listed ports are Cartagena de Indias, Colón, Willemstad in Curaçao and Oranjestad in Aruba.
Royal Caribbean said shore excursions purchased through the company for Bonaire will be canceled automatically and refunded to the original forms of payment. Excursions for the replacement destinations are available through the company's booking channels.
Source: cruiseindustrynews.com
Celebrity Raises Daily Gratuities
Celebrity Cruises has increased its discretionary onboard gratuities, with the new rates taking effect July 29, 2026, according to Cruise Industry News. Guests in inside, oceanview and balcony cabins now pay $19.50 per person per day, while Concierge Class and AquaClass rates are $20.50.
The daily charge for guests in The Retreat suites is now $24.50 per person. The increase is $1.50 per guest per day across all stateroom categories.
Passengers can prepay the gratuities at the former rates before sailing, Celebrity said. Otherwise, the new amount will be added daily to onboard accounts beginning July 29.
Source: cruiseindustrynews.com
Explora III Begins Maiden Voyage
Explora III has departed Barcelona on its maiden voyage, beginning Explora Journeys' inaugural season on August 3, 2026, in a report from Cruise Industry News. Delivered by Fincantieri in late July, the 922-passenger ship is operating a seven-night itinerary through Portugal, Morocco and Spain.
The voyage includes calls at Portimão, Puerto Banús, Palma de Mallorca, Cádiz and Tangier, along with a full day at sea in the Western Mediterranean. It is scheduled to end in Lisbon.
A second seven-night cruise will take the ship to Southampton, with visits to Porto, La Coruña, Bilbao, Bordeaux and St. Jean de Luz. The two voyages can also be combined into a 14-night sailing from Barcelona to Southampton.
Explora III's inaugural season will also include Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America. Caribbean cruises from San Juan and Miami are scheduled to begin in December 2026.
The ship was christened at Barcelona on August 1, with marine educator and National Geographic Educator Cristina Ozores serving as godmother. The ceremony marked the debut of Explora Journeys' first LNG-powered vessel; a five-night pre-inaugural cruise had departed Genoa on July 24 and visited Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Livorno and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Source: cruiseindustrynews.com
AIDA to Add Greek Tourist Taxes to 2027 Cruises
AIDA Cruises will collect Greece's tourist tax directly from passengers on eligible 2027 cruises, Cruise Industry News reports. The mandatory charge will be added automatically to onboard accounts, with the amount determined by the port and travel period.
The fees apply to adults and children, although passengers who remain onboard during a Greek port visit will be exempt. Reservations made from August 1, 2026, are subject to the policy, while bookings made before that date remain exempt under AIDA's booking terms.
For Mykonos and Santorini, the charge is €4 per person per port from November 1 through March 31, €12 from April 1 through May 31 and in October, and up to €20 from June 1 through September 30. Other Greek ports carry charges of €1 in the winter period, €3 during the shoulder seasons and €5 during the summer months.
Source: cruiseindustrynews.com
Port Tampa Bay Begins Work on New Cruise Terminal Site
Port Tampa Bay has begun restoring more than five acres of land for a new cruise terminal, Cruise Industry News says. The work is the first visible stage of the port's first new cruise terminal in more than 25 years, with completion planned for 2029.
Kimmins Contracting Corporation is leading the site preparation, including filling the former Metroport area and moving stormwater infrastructure. This phase is expected to continue through late 2026, followed by a settlement period before terminal construction proceeds.
The facility is expected to become Port Tampa Bay's fourth cruise terminal and handle more than 200 additional ship calls each year. The port projects that its cruise operations could reach more than 2 million passengers annually and produce an estimated $100 million in additional yearly economic impact; HDR and BEA Architects are designing the terminal and parking garage.
Source: cruiseindustrynews.com
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